[thebiker]

I have a friend who wants to play nvul that a 1NT overcall is either a bal 15-17
or an unspecified weak jump overcall . ie a "Comic" NT overcall or "Gardener" overcall as it is known in the UK

He wants to know the responding structure that he should use.
Very few Brits appear to play this now - so few people know which set of responses
to use, apert from the obvious 2C response "Are you comic? or are you genuine?"

Is there any one out there who does know a set of suitable responses
and has practical knowledge of this convention?

Thanks in advance for your replies

Brian Keable
Alias "thebiker"

[nigel_k]

Pass if you would have passed a strong NT.
2♣ with at least game interest opposite a strong NT but willing to play 2♣ if comic.
2♦ at least game interest opposite comic.
2♥ and 2♠ are to play opposite strong NT.

Over 2♣, pass or bid suit if comic. Bid 2NT with balanced min and 3♣ (GF) with balanced max. 3♦ over 3♣ is then Stayman.

Over 2♦, bid your suit at the two level. 3♣ and 3♦ are minimum, 3♥ is max with clubs, 3♠ is max with diamonds.

You may need some agreements if they bid as well, but easiest is that responder guesses whether it is strong or comic and 1NT bidder assumes partner knows which he has. So for example, if they raise and responder doubles for takeout, opener may bid a suit with either strong or comic. This usually works and if not, you needed a sense of humour when you chose to play this method anyway.